Spring motor



Jan. 2, 1951 P. B. SAUNDERS, JR 3 SPRING MOTOR Filed Sept. 2, 1948 4,2 I y 36 45 1525 112 21:7: 35 M PAUL B. SAUNDERS,

Patented Jan. 2, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SPRING MOTOR Paul B. Saunders, Jr., Aurora, Ill.

Application September 2, 1948, Serial No. 47,429

8 Claims. 1

This invention relates to toys and more particularly to improvements in the operating mechanisms thereof.

The toy vehicle to be described herein is of a type which is well adapted for having mounted thereon a sound producing mechanism such as a siren, whistle, or the like. These mechanisms operate best at high rotating speeds. If a siren is geared directly to the wheels of a vehicle or to a motor or both, the operation of the siren is arrested if the vehicle or the motor is stopped. Accordingly, the gearing for driving the siren is provided with a freely disengageable element affording overrunning rotation of the siren rotor. That is, the drive is made to effect a meshing of certain gears and thereby a direct connection between the motor and the siren rotor during acceleration and a disconnection therebetween when the motor stops whereby the rotor is free to rotate at its own natural speed. A very high step-up ratio is usually employed in the gear train which acts as a kickoff device for meshing the gears and thereby setting the siren into eifective operation immediately upon rotation of the driving motor.

The torque produced by the spring motor as it drives effects a meshing of the gears for rotating the siren rotor. It frequently happens that adjacent gear teeth move toward each other in alignment with the result that instead of meshing they abut and jam and are held locked in that position by pressure exerted from the motor. The entire mechanism then remains locked until the gears are pried apart. The play value of such a toy is thereby reduced and the necessity for frequent repairs is both annoying and inconvenient.

The improvement of this invention seeks to eliminate the above objectionable feature in spring motors for toys by providing for the positive meshing of gears in the driving train on every occasion.

It is, therefore, an important object of this invention to improve the positive operation of a toy and thereby enhance its play value with children.

Another object of this invention is to provide in a toy a disengageable driving mechanism the parts of which cooperate. without binding.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a driving mechanism, having disengageable gears to afford overrunning rotation of a driven element, with means whereby the gears are positively directed into meshing engagement without binding.

20 by dotted lines;

Still another object of this invention is the provision of a vehicle toy carrying a miniature siren driven by a spring motor through a gear train in which there are gears movable into and out of mesh and means for effectively eliminating binding between the gears.

Another and still further object of the invention is the provision of an improved driving mechanism which is simple in construction, economical to manufacture, and highly efficient in operation.

Other and further objects of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention as disclosed in the annexed sheet of drawings.

On the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side view in elevation of a siren and driving motor shown in a vehicle illustrated tional view taken along the line 4-4 of Figure 2; and,

Figure 5 is an enlarged view in elevation, partly in cross-section, illustrating a binding action between gears of the driving mechanism.

As shown on the drawings:

The toy illustrated herein comprises a vehicle body l0, which in the present instance is an automobile but which may equally well be any wheeled vehicle, boat, airplane, or like conveyance. Suitabl mounted in the body is a spring energized motor [I which drives a miniature or toy siren l2 through a step-up gearing l3. It will be noted that the motor H is shown as being connected only to the siren and not to the wheels of the vehicle. The siren may, therefore, be actuated independently of the vehicle. In other words, the siren may be operated with the vehicle at rest. Also, when both. are being operated, the speed of rotation of the siren is not limited to the motion of the vehicle.

Considering the arrangement in greater detail, the vehicle body ill is made of any suitable material which may be pressed, cast or molded to a desired shape. A frame M preferably of sheet metal, for supporting the motor mechanism, is mounted in the vehicle body and secured thereto by rivets, bolts, tongue and slot connections, or similar fastening means.

The motor H comprises a winding stem It, bent at one end to form a winding key H. which into engagement with pinion '31.

extends across and is journalled in the upturned sidewalls of the motor frame. A spool I8, mounted for free rotation on the stem I6, has secured at an end a driving gear I9. As best shown in Figure 2, the stem is shaped to provide a key portion 20. The outside edge of the key portion abuts against the inside of the upturned sidewall of the motor frame to limit movement of the stem and retain it in journalled position. The inside edge of the key portion limits movement of the spool in a direction towards the winding key. The stem further carries a ratchet wheel 2| which is pressed on the key portion.

A spring 22 is coiled around the spool and has one end connected to an ear 23 on the ratchet wheel and its opposite end hooked into one of the openings Hm, I 8a and connected to thespool. Inasmuch as the driving gear I9 turns as the coiled spring is wound by the key N, a brake 24 is provided. The brake includes an operating lever -.arm;25 pivoted.as:at;26 to a sidewall of the motor :frame. A foot portion 21 of the lever arm ter- :minates in a flange .28 which is so positioned as -.to'be:moved into and out of engagement between teeth on the driving gear 19. When-engaged as shown in Figure ".1, the driving gear is locked against rotation and thereby permits :the coiled spring to :be wound-on the spool Ij8.

In order to eliminate reverse rotation of the .coiled spring as it is being "wound, a pawl :29

is provided for locking the ratchet wheel 2I.

The pawl is mounted on an idler shaft 35 and is so :shaped as to provide upper and .lower "teeth 3i and :32. These teeth are spaced to cooperate with adjacent teethontheratchet wheel to lock the latter against turning in a direction urged by the coiled spring tending to unwind. As the ratchet wheel rotates, the teeth on the pawl alternately cam on the ratchet wheel with the result that as one tooth slides on a cam surface 33113118 other tooth is rocked intoposition to immediately engage a locking surface '34 should an operator release the winding key N. This is best illustrated in Figure 1.

,A compound gear, formed by'gear'35 and pinion 36, is mounted for free rotation on the shaft 30 .and is :positioned to effect meshing engage- :ment between the driving gear -I9 .andthe pinion 36. The gear 35 meshes with a pinion 3'! which is carried OILOIIB'GIld-Offi shaft 38. On-the other end of the :shaft is carried a siren rotor :39 housed in a casing 40. The gear train between and including the driving gear I9 and siren-pinion 3'! providesa high step-up ratio and :suifices to impartthe necessary spin to the :siren :rotor.

Overrun-hing of the siren rotor is produced by a disengagement within the gear train. It will :be noted that the shaft 30 is carried in slotted bearing openings 45 and 42 in the'upright sidewalls-of the motor frame I4. These slots are so directed as to maintain the driving gear I5 and the pinion 36 in meshing relationship but permitting the gear 35 to move away from and .disengage the siren pinion 31. When the spring motor unwinds, the driving gear I9 rotates in a clockwise direction and tends to move gear '35 However, when the motor "is unwound and not exerting any torque action or no driving impulse is being imparted, the gear 35 tends naturally because of its weight to fall away from the pinion 31. This action results because the pinion 36 of the compound gear rotates in such a direction that-it runs downwardly about the periphery of ways in mesh.

slowed down. The vertical movement of the compound gear relative to the siren pinion 31 is possible because of the journal slots 4| and 42 within which the shaft 30 slides. As a result of the above construction and operation, overrunning of the siren is effected through the disengagement of gears. The siren rotor overruns in a substantially frictionless manner which permits sustainedand gradual deceleration of the siren. Although the construction so far has been found generally to be satisfactory, it too frequently happens that movement of the gear 35 into engagement with the siren pinion 31 results in jamming of teeth, as shown in Figure 5. If the teeth are not aligned to mesh when they engage, it sometimes results in pairs of adjacent teeth on each gear jamming or looking on their peripheral faces. Once jammed, the torque action exerted by the coiled spring 22 maintains the movable gear .35 locked against the .pinion 37. When this happens, the toy immediately loses its appeal and play value to .a child. And, unless the motor is so mounted that the parts are easily accessible, the repairs necessary become :a source .of annoyance and inconvenience. V

I have found that the provision of a fulcrum for .the shaft .30 entirely eliminates the above objectionable feature. InFigure 4 there isshown a fulcrum '45 .made'by striking a rectangular piece from the base of the motor frame. The fulcrum is sufficiently thin to be adjustable by .merely bending :it at its base 'toward or away from the vertical thereby :varying :its height. The fulcrum is 'intermediately located directly under the shaft 35. Slot 4! is shown in Figure 4 as 00- operating with the fulcrum to normally hold the .shaftall in a horizontal disengaged position. It

is not essential to the operation of the device that this be the only position as it .might just .as well be tipped at an angle relative to the horizontal. The shaft and gears, when in a disengaged position,.are shown in full lines. That is, the gear 35 is out of engagement with the :pinion 37 although the driving gear IB and pinion 36 are al- When the spring motor unwinds whereby the gear '35 is moved up into engagement with the pinion '31, the parts assume a slanting or sloping position as shown in dotted lines. The engaging surfaces of the teeth to be meshed also slope relative to each other so that the teeth slide on each other instead of coming into face abutment. As a result, jamming and locking is not possible regardless whethe the teeth are in proper alignment for meshing or not as the gear moves toward the pinion.

Although the addition of a fulcrum is simple it has been found to beiextremely effective and, to both children and parents, have remedied a difficulty which otherwise would quickly destroy the value of the toy.

The inventionhas been described herein more or less precisely as-to details, yet it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereby, as changes may be made in the arrangement and proportion of parts and equivalents may be substituted, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

'I claim as my invention:

1. 1m a toy vehicle, a spring energized motor mounted in a sheet metal frame, gearing interconnecting said motor to a rotatable driven mem- "ber for imparting high speed rotation thereto,

said gearing including adjacent gears one of which is movable with respect to the other, a shaft carrying said one gear, spaced apart elongated shaped bearin s receiving said shaft, and a fulcrum member struck out of said sheet metal motor frame and bent angularly to a location intermediate the said spaced bearings and under said shaft whereby said shaft rocks on the fulcrum within the limits of said elongated bearings, the arrangement being such that when the motor accelerates faster than the driven member said one gear is rocked by the fulcrumed shaft angularly with respect to its adjacent gear into positive meshing engagement therewith and when the driving motor decelerates faster than the driven member said one gear is rocked by the fulcrumed shaft out of engagement with its adjacent gear thereby permitting free overrunning rotation of the driven member.

2. In combination, a driven shaft having a gear thereon, a driving shaft, a gear on said driving shaft, an idler shaft mounted for angular movement transverse to its longitudinal axis, rotatable gear means on said idler shaft in constant meshing engagement with one of the gears on the driven or driving shafts, said gear means movable into and out of meshing engagement with the other of said gears on said driven and driving shafts, and a fulcrum intermediately located with respect to said idler shaft and on which said shaft is rockable in its said angular movement to move said gear means into and out of said meshing engagement.

3. In combination, a driven shaft having a gear thereon, a driving shaft, a gear on said driving shaft, an idler shaft mounted for angular movement transverse to its longitudinal axis, rotatable gear means on said idler shaft in meshing engagement with one of the gears on said driven and driving shafts and movable into and out of meshing engagement with the other of said gears, and a fulcrum of adjustable height intermediately located with respect to said idler shaft and on which said shaft is rockable in its angular movement to move said gear means into and out of said meshing engagement.

4. In combination, a driven shaft having a gear thereon, a driving shaft, a gear on said driving shaft, an idler shaft, a support for said shafts, said support having elongated bearings in which said idler shaft is mounted for angular movement transverse to its longitudinal axis, a, compound gear element on said idler shaft having one portion in constant engagement with said driving gear and another portion movable into and out of meshing engagement with the gear on said driven shaft by movement of the shaft in said elongated bearings, and a fulcrum located between said elongated bearings on which said idler shaft may reel: in its angular movement whereby to effect Said meshing engagement and disengagement.

5. In combination, a driven shaft having a gear thereon, a driving shaft having a gear thereon, an idler shaft having gear means rotatably mounted thereon, a support for said shafts having elongated bearings in which said idler shaft is mounted for angular movement transverse to its longitudinal axis, and a fulcrum adjustable to vary its height and located between said elongated bearings in position for the shaft to rock thereon, said shaft being rockable within limits determined by the height of said fulcrum and the length of said elongated bearings, the arrangement being such that when the driving shaft accelerates faster than the driven shaft said idler shaft is rocked on said fulcrum to move the idler shaft gear means into meshing engagement to connect the gears on said driving and driven shafts and when the driving shaft decelerates faster than the driven shaft said idler gear is rocked on the fulcrum to move said gear means out of meshing engagement to disconnect the gears on said driving and driven shafts.

6. In combination, a driven shaft having a gear thereon, a driving shaft, a gear on said driving shaft, an idler shaft, gear means on said idler shaft, a support for said shafts and having elongated bearings in which said idler shaft is mounted for angular movement transverse to its longitudinal axis, and a fulcrum intermediate said elongated hearings on which said idler shaft is rockable, said elongated bearings and fulcrum being relatively positioned to effect meshing engagement and a driving connection between the gears of the driving and driven shafts when the idler shaft is rocked in one direction and to effect a disengagement therebetween when the idler shaft is rocked in the other direction.

7. In combination, thereon, a driving shaft having a gear thereon, said shafts being in spaced relation, an idler shaft, gear means on said idler shaft, elongated hearings in which said idler shaft is mounted to position said gear means below and between the gears on said driving and driven shafts, said elongated bearing mounting said idler shaft for angular movement transverse to its longitudinal axis, and a fulcrum between said elongated bearings on which said idler shaft is rockable, the arrangement being such that when the driving shaft accelerates faster than the driven shaft the gear on the driving shaft urges the gear means on the idler shaft into meshing engagement with gear on the driven shaft and when the driving shaft decelerates faster than the driven shaft the weight of the gear means on the idler shaft effects a disengagement of said gear means and the gear on the driven shaft.

8. In a toy vehicle, a driving motor, gear means connecting said motor to a driven device for imparting movement thereto, said gear means including adjacent gears one of which is movable with respect to the other, a shaft for said one gear, a, fulcrum intermediately located with respect to said shaft and on which the shaft is rockable to move said one gear into and out of engagement with said other gear, and means for limiting the rocking movement of said shaft.

PAUL B. SAUNDERS, JR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,022,258 Pfeil Apr. 2, 1912 1,617,480 Fourcher Feb. 15, 1927 1,936,072 Roderick Nov. 21, 1933 2,012,343 Goriup Aug. 27, 1935 2,076,145 Hall Apr. 6, 1937 2,143,513 Giamio Jan. 10, 1939 a driven shaft having a gear 7 

